2 Caskets Reportedly Containing Slain Hostages Returned to Israel After Hamas Ceasefire Violations

Latest Developments

• Caskets Returned for Identification: The IDF announced on October 30 that two caskets reportedly containing the remains of slain Israeli hostages were released by Hamas. The remains were sent to Israel’s National Institute for Forensic Medicine for identification. If the bodies are positively identified, it will mean that Hamas still holds 11 slain hostages in Gaza that the group is required to return under phase one of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
• Qatar Acknowledges Hamas Violation: Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani acknowledged Hamas’s latest ceasefire violation on October 29 after Palestinian terrorists killed an IDF soldier in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, calling the attack “very disappointing and frustrating.” However, Al Thani also took the opportunity to lambast Israel for its alleged mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners. “There are tens of hundreds of Marwan Barghoutis [a Fatah leader currently serving five consecutive life sentences for multiple murders] in Israeli prisons who have been prosecuted and tortured and mistreated: this is something that needs to be addressed,” he said.
• Netanyahu Visits American Coordination Hub in Kiryat Gat: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited U.S. Central Command’s Civil-Military Coordination Center in the Israeli city of Kiryat Gat on October 29. He pledged that the disarmament of Hamas and demilitarization of Gaza “will be achieved,” adding: “I am happy to host our American friends here in Kiryat Gat. They are working together with us on a plan to achieve a different Gaza, a Gaza that will no longer pose a threat to Israel.” 

FDD Expert Response

“Prime Minister Al Thani was in a difficult spot. He could hardly duck the issue of Hamas’s repeated ceasefire violations. Qatar is afraid of losing President Trump’s confidence in its commitment to press Hamas to fulfill its obligations under his Gaza peace plan. Hence, his specifying, through gritted teeth, of “the Palestinian party” responsible for the Rafah attack. Al Thani tried to balance that, no doubt for Islamist consumption, with an attack on Israeli treatment of Palestinian prisoners. But Israel does not need lessons on human rights from the country that built an entire World Cup tournament on corruption and slave labor.” — Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Fellow

“Hamas has an opportunity to end the war. For the ceasefire to continue, Hamas must honor its commitment to return Israel’s murdered hostages. The White House has made clear that if Hamas does not fulfill its obligations under the truce agreement — either by attacking Israeli soldiers or refusing to return hostages — then Israel has a green light to reapply forceful military pressure upon the terror organization.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“Qatar’s criticism of Hamas is welcome, but at this point, it’s largely symbolic. What matters is follow-through. Given Doha’s track record — funneling money to Hamas, blaming Israel for October 7, and sheltering and mourning the deaths of Hamas leaders — it remains prudent to operate under the assumption that granting Qatar a ticket into postwar Gaza is more likely to buy Hamas time than stop Hamas in its tracks.” — Natalie Ecanow, Senior Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Hamas Attacks IDF Troops in Rafah, Drawing Israeli Response,” FDD Flash Brief

“‘Cruel Games’: Hamas Returns Remains of Hostage Body Previously Recovered by IDF,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel links 8 eliminated Hamas fighters to October 7 attack,” by Joe Truzman

“To Preserve the Gaza Deal, Keep Qatar at Arm’s Length,” by Natalie Ecanow